Lose Me Once, and You'll Regret it Forever

Alexandra

I once thought I had it all. The position of soon becoming Luna, money, a strong pack, and more importantly, a normal life not every werewolf could attain due to their status as part of their respective packs. My life in Chicago was a dream, or at least it felt that way.

I was soon to be the mate of Aidan White, the alpha werewolf. We were the power couple of the city. Aidan gave me everything I wanted, showering me with love and gifts. But beneath the surface, things were about to unravel. Aidan was not my true mate. I knew this from the start. We had a connection, yes, but it wasn’t the deep bond that true mates share.

Still, I convinced myself that since we loved each other, deep bonds could grow in time. We built our life together, gaining more wealth and power since he ascended as the new alpha. But every time I caught Aidan staring into the distance, I felt a twinge of anxiety. Sometimes I'd ask myself what he was thinking or if he was still happy with the decision to choose me.

And then there was one month ago, the day we started preparing for our mating ceremony. I overheard Aidan having a conversation with his beta, Marcus. His voice was low and serious. I couldn’t catch all the words, but I heard enough.

"She’s not my true mate," he said.

My heart dropped. This was never an issue before, but hearing him say that I felt like I was being betrayed and pushed aside. At first, I didn't pay much attention to it, but the more I ignored it, the more the days started becoming a blur.

I slowly felt the air change between us. His warmth, though still there, turned odd at times. He spent more time away, making up excuses about the work he had to do for the pack. I didn't pay attention to it at first, since I understood his duties as the alpha, but things changed when my childhood friend Nancy went looking for me.

"People are talking mad gossip around here," she began as she quickly sat beside me.

"What gossip?" I nonchalantly asked as I was aware that these kinds of things happen every day.

"It's about alpha Aidan and Brooke,” she stated, her voice low.

My heart skipped a beat when I heard Aidan's name and it wasn't in a good way. Brooke, the new omega of the pack, was a young she-wolf, vibrant, and had a smile that could light up any room. I had welcomed her into our beloved pack, believing she could be a part of our family. But now, it felt like I had invited a snake into the nest.

I felt rage boil inside me because this was a testament that my instincts were right. Something was up with Aidan.

"What are you talking about?" I tried to keep my voice steady because I didn't want to let my friend know that I was worried, but I could feel the tremor.

Nancy hesitated before revealing that Aidan and Brooke had been seen together more than once, and it wasn't because he was teaching her the ropes of becoming a member of the pack. Nancy was insinuating that there was something more going on between them.

My friend was anything, but a liar, so the possibility of Aidan's betrayal hit me like a punch to the gut. Aidan had always said trust was the foundation of our bond. He knew my rule: once that trust was broken, I would walk away. I had been loyal from the beginning. I had fought for him, not just with words but with my heart and physical strength.

I had to come on top fighting all the unmated she-wolves in our pack to dim myself worthy of being by his side. I had moved past the fact that he wasn’t my destined mate. He was the alpha, and I had chosen to stand by his side.

Now, it felt like I had been standing on quicksand, and the ground was shifting beneath me, but still, I had to give him the benefit of the doubt.

"Are you sure there's something strange going on between them?" I asked, my tone serious.

"Well... I can show you now," Nancy stated.

In less than a minute, we stalked silently through the dense forest, and as I approached the hidden den, the familiar scents of Aidan and the omega assaulted my heightened senses. Steeling my nerves, I peered into the entrance, bracing myself for the sight that surely awaited, and what I saw made my blood run cold.